1957 Chevy - Auto News, Performance Parts and Events

When Barrie Neff of Victoria, British Columbia, was a young man in the '60s, he was, as he puts it, "building cars like a madman." Many have probably faded from memory, but this is one he remembers with fondness.

"The little roadster (perhaps one of the real, original rat rods) started off as a decrepit '31 Model A, and ended up deeply channeled with a GMC six sporting three Rochesters on a McGurk intake, with McGurk exhaust manifolds to match. I ran a Packard three-speed floor shift, which we all acknowledged as being one of the strongest trannies available back then-but the Jimmy had so much torque I'd twist off the pilot shaft like plasticine with frustrating regularity. It got so I could pull the engine in 20 minutes to replace the damn thing ... but with some shame now when I think of the perhaps six or seven transmissions I butchered to keep it running.

"I don't think I've ever owned a car (including a Mercedes and a Jaguar V-12 E-Type), that I've had so much fun with. The roadster brings back lots of terrific memories-like driving in the pouring rain, keeping to at least 40 mph to stay somewhat dry, and never even considering getting a top!"

Mail your vintage photos of you and your hot rod, along with a brief story to: Tim Bernsau, Rod & Custom, 774 S. Placentia Ave., Placentia, CA 92870, or e-mail them (3x5 inches at 300 dpi) to timothy.bernsau@primedia.com. We are unable to return any submitted material.

A Tri-Five for the TroopsSuper Chevy, one of our many sister publications, is promoting a cool project car that is part buildup, part great cause. The idea behind Project '57 is to build a complete 1957 Chevy from donated or sponsored parts and products, then take the finished car to the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction and sell it. All proceeds will then be donated to the Armed Forces Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides financial services to U.S. troops and their families. The Super Chevy guys have created a dedicated Web site (www.projectamericanheroes.org) featuring numerous concept drawings of final versions of Project '57, drawn by Eric Brockmeyer. Military personnel were invited to vote for their favorite version of the car. By the time you read this, a winning version will have been selected. Check it out.

NHRA SoldThe National Hot Rod Association, drag racing's preeminent sanctioning body, was acquired in May by HD Partners Acquisition Corporation for approximately $121 million. The organization will continue to function as a nonprofit corporation under the name NHRA Pro Racing, and will retain the 23-race NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series of 23 national events, as well as all non-professional racing activities.

When Wally Parks and Robert E. Petersen of Hot Rod magazine founded the NHRA in 1951, it turned drag racing from a hobby into an established segment of motorsports by establishing strips all over the country, promoting national events, and creating rules and classes.

Goodguys Hits the stripDuring the recent PPG Nats in Columbus, Goodguys teamed up with Altered Gas Performance Events to host the Flashlight Drags. Many Nats participants drove to nearby National Trail Raceway to run the street-style drag race program, open to hot rods of all kinds and enthusiasts of all experience levels. All races were heads-up, with no brackets or classes, not even Christmas trees or clocks. Just a starting light and a win light. They call it "street racing, without the jail time." We call it "run-what-cha-brung" fun.

Watch ThisDrag racing footage from the 1950s and 1960s highlights two new videos documenting the history of the great Lions Drag Strip, which opened in October 1955, and ran its last race in December 1972. It was home to Mickey Thompson (one of the co-founders), C.J. "Pappy" Hart, John Force, Don Prudhomme, Ed Iskenderian, Art Chrisman, Tommy Ivo, and countless other racers who never became famous, but were part of the story of this historic strip. "Lions: The Greatest Drag Strip, Part One," created by drag race photojournalist Don Gillespie, covers the first seven years at Lions in this 114-minute first installment. An upcoming Part Two will continue the story of this gone-but-not-forgotten piece of drag racing history.

"Lions: The Greatest Drag Strip, Part One"www.lionsvideo.com

Speedy Bill Honored by His StateBill Smith, founder and owner of Speedway Motors, was the recent recipient of the NebraskaLand Foundation's Trailblazer Award, which honors "Nebraskans who set an example for others and portray the spirit of our state's heritage." Previous recipients have included American presidents and vice presidents. The award was presented at the foundation's annual Statehood Dinner in the state capitol building.

Since "Speedy Bill" established the company in 1952, Speedway has grown into the world's largest manufacturer and distributor of specialty automotive parts for street rods and race vehicles. Upon receiving the award from Governor Dave Heineman, Smith (pictured on the right in the photo) noted that the recognition is a sign of how far hot rodding and racing have come from their scofflaw roots. "For a former 'greaser' to get that kind of honor is pretty amazing," he said.